Women&#39;s capsule dress

ABSTRACT

A dress pattern and dress that may be worn in different configurations. The dress as described herein may be worn in the different configurations either as a primary garment or as a garment over, under, or otherwise in conjunction with a wearer&#39;s primary clothing.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.17/561,798 filed Dec. 24, 2021, which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 16/297,150 filed Mar. 8, 2019, now U.S. Pat. No.11,206,876, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 62/644,069 filed on Mar. 16, 2018; the disclosures ofeach of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in theirentirety.

BACKGROUND Field of the Invention

The invention generally relates to a dress that is capable of being wornin multiple manners, and more specifically to a dress that isconvertible between casual and related attire to cocktail, semi-formal,and formal attire at user's discretion.

Background Information

Modern lifestyles require wardrobe flexibility, especially for women whoare on the go. Pressure to reduce waste and extraneous clothing competeswith the need of an increasingly busy and mobile woman to have multipleoptions for apparel, depending upon the situation. Formal andsemi-formal events often require different attire than casual andsemi-casual settings. While some women may opt to have a larger wardrobeto accommodate the various attire needs that she encounters, many womenchoose to reduce the size of their wardrobe and seek to avoidsacrificing flexibility in their attire choices while doing so.

There is a void in the art for women's garments which can replacemultiple wardrobe items and fulfill the need to accommodate changingstyles as well as convert

to garments which can be worn to a wide range of social settings andevents. Such a garment can serve as a single garment for a change ofattire when needed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a women's garment which may be worn invarious manners to accommodate various social and other settings. Theinvention provides a wide range of wardrobe options quickly and easilyfrom a single garment. The garment may be worn as various forms ofdresses and skirts that drape on a user in various manners. The garmentmay be worn to include skirt of various lengths, along with variousconfigurations to drape on and over the wearer. The garment is easilyworn and converted, in most cases without need for removal of thegarment to change the configuration. As a result, the garment that isthe subject of this invention is versatile, portable, and easily used.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a front plan view of the pattern for a convertible women'sgarment, showing the dress as patterned in fabric.

FIG. 2A shows a view of a configuration change of the present dressinvention.

FIG. 2B shows a view of a configuration change of the present dressinvention.

FIG. 2C shows a view of a configuration change of the present dressinvention.

FIG. 2D shows a view of a configuration change of the present dressinvention.

FIG. 3A shows a view of a configuration change of the present dressinvention.

FIG. 3B shows a view of a configuration change of the present dressinvention.

FIG. 3C shows a view of a configuration change of the present dressinvention.

FIG. 3D shows a view of a configuration change of the present dressinvention.

FIG. 4A shows a view of a configuration change of the present dressinvention.

FIG. 4B shows a view of a configuration change of the present dressinvention.

FIG. 4C shows a view of a configuration change of the present dressinvention.

FIG. 5A shows a view of a configuration change of the present dressinvention.

FIG. 5B shows a view of a configuration change of the present dressinvention.

FIG. 5C shows a view of a configuration change of the present dressinvention.

FIG. 5D shows a view of a configuration change of the present dressinvention.

FIG. 6A shows a view of a configuration change of the present dressinvention.

FIG. 6B shows a view of a configuration change of the present dressinvention.

FIG. 7A shows a view of a configuration change of the present dressinvention.

FIG. 7B shows a view of a configuration change of the present dressinvention.

FIG. 7C shows a view of a configuration change of the present dressinvention.

FIG. 8A shows a view of a configuration change of the present dressinvention.

FIG. 8B shows a view of a configuration change of the present dressinvention.

FIG. 8C shows a view of a configuration change of the present dressinvention.

FIG. 9A shows a view of a configuration change of the present dressinvention.

FIG. 9B shows a view of a configuration change of the present dressinvention.

FIG. 9C shows a view of a configuration change of the present dressinvention.

FIG. 9D shows a view of a configuration change of the present dressinvention.

FIG. 10A shows a view of a configuration change of the present dressinvention.

FIG. 10B shows a view of a configuration change of the present dressinvention.

FIG. 10C shows a view of a configuration change of the present dressinvention.

FIG. 11A shows a view of a configuration change of the present dressinvention.

FIG. 11B shows a view of a configuration change of the present dressinvention.

FIG. 11C shows a view of a configuration change of the present dressinvention.

FIG. 12A shows a view of a configuration change of the present dressinvention.

FIG. 12B shows a view of a configuration change of the present dressinvention.

FIG. 12C shows a view of a configuration change of the present dressinvention.

FIG. 13A shows a view of a configuration change of the present dressinvention.

FIG. 13B shows a view of a configuration change of the present dressinvention.

FIG. 13C shows a view of a configuration change of the present dressinvention.

FIG. 13D shows a view of a configuration change of the present dressinvention.

FIG. 14A shows a view of a configuration change of the present dressinvention.

FIG. 14B shows a view of a configuration change of the present dressinvention.

FIG. 14C shows a view of a configuration change of the present dressinvention.

FIG. 15A shows a view of a configuration change of the present dressinvention.

FIG. 15B shows a view of a configuration change of the present dressinvention.

FIG. 15C shows a view of a configuration change of the present dressinvention.

FIG. 15D shows a view of a configuration change of the present dressinvention.

FIG. 16A shows a view of a configuration change of the present dressinvention.

FIG. 16B shows a view of a configuration change of the present dressinvention.

FIG. 16C shows a view of a configuration change of the present dressinvention.

FIG. 16D shows a view of a configuration change of the present dressinvention.

FIG. 17A shows a view of a configuration change of the present dressinvention.

FIG. 17B shows a view of a configuration change of the present dressinvention.

FIG. 17C shows a view of a configuration change of the present dressinvention.

FIG. 18A shows a view of a configuration change of the present dressinvention.

FIG. 18B shows a view of a configuration change of the present dressinvention.

FIG. 18C shows a view of a configuration change of the present dressinvention.

FIG. 18D shows a view of a configuration change of the present dressinvention.

FIG. 19A shows a view of a configuration change of the present dressinvention.

FIG. 19B shows a view of a configuration change of the present dressinvention.

FIG. 19C shows a view of a configuration change of the present dressinvention.

FIG. 20A shows a view of a configuration change of the present dressinvention.

FIG. 20B shows a view of a configuration change of the present dressinvention.

FIG. 20C shows a view of a configuration change of the present dressinvention.

FIG. 20D shows a view of a configuration change of the present dressinvention.

FIG. 21A shows a view of a configuration change of the present dressinvention.

FIG. 21B shows a view of a configuration change of the present dressinvention.

FIG. 21C shows a view of a configuration change of the present dressinvention.

FIG. 22A shows a view of a configuration change of the present dressinvention.

FIG. 22B shows a view of a configuration change of the present dressinvention.

FIG. 22C shows a view of a configuration change of the present dressinvention.

FIG. 22D shows a view of a configuration change of the present dressinvention.

FIG. 23A shows a view of a configuration change of the present dressinvention.

FIG. 23B shows a view of a configuration change of the present dressinvention.

FIG. 23C shows a view of a configuration change of the present dressinvention.

FIG. 23D shows a view of a configuration change of the present dressinvention.

FIG. 24A shows a view of a configuration change of the present dressinvention.

FIG. 24B shows a view of a configuration change of the present dressinvention.

FIG. 24C shows a view of a configuration change of the present dressinvention.

FIG. 25A shows a view of a configuration change of the present dressinvention.

FIG. 25B shows a view of a configuration change of the present dressinvention.

FIG. 25C shows a view of a configuration change of the present dressinvention.

FIG. 25D shows a view of a configuration change of the present dressinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention is shown in its pattern form in FIG. 1 . The pattern 101is repeated twice and the edges sewn together to form the final dressproduct. The pattern 101 comprises a body portion 102, a neck portion103, one or more sleeve portions 104, a hem (bottom) portion 105, one ormore shoulder portions 106, and a neck opening 107.

The final product when two patterns 101 are sewn together may be worn asshown in FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D and FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C, and 3D.Transitions between the configurations contemplated herein is describedin detail below, and it will be understood that there are otherconfigurations that are not shown that may be utilized to wear thepresent invention. Such configurations are contemplated within the scopeof the present invention. The fabric chosen for the garment may bechosen from a variety of well-known textiles having some elasticity sothat the garment may be reconfigured as described herein. It will alsobe understood that the same ability to be reconfigured as described inthe present invention may be achieved by using well-known techniquessuch as the use of elastic or other materials in the portions of thegarment that require the ability to stretch and contract, such as in theneck opening 107 and the hemline 105.

Such modifications are contemplated within the spirit and scope of theinvention, including strapless and related configurations.

From an initial configuration FIG. 2A with the entirety of the garmentexposed (the sleeves are worn full length, the neckline is up coveringboth shoulders of the wearer, and the skirt portion is full-length).

It will also be understood that the length of the garment may beadjusted, and each of the configurations shown in FIGS. 2A-2D and 3A-3Dmay be worn with the hem positioned at varying heights.

The sleeves 104 may be worn either as sleeves for the garment of varying

lengths, or may be hidden by inverting the sleeves 104 (as describedbelow) within the body portion 102 of the garment.

In describing the invention, ties and knots are shown for illustration.It will be understood that the knots as shown are not limiting, andvarious knots and ties may be used by a user to achieve a desiredaesthetic.

FIGS. 4A-4C show a conversion of the garment by increasing the length ofthe hemline. FIG. 4A shows the garment with sleeves 104 partiallyinverted (tucked back inside of the sleeve), and the hemline 105disposed underneath the body 102 of the garment. The user pulls thehemline 105 down from within the garment to a desired length, eitherpartially lengthened as shown in FIG. 4B or full-length as shown in FIG.4C. The configuration of FIG. 4C with the sleeves 104 being pulled tofull-length is shown in FIG. 2A.

FIG. 5 shows a conversion of the garment from the full-length,shortened-sleeve configuration shown in FIG. 4C. The sleeves 104 arepulled to full-length from being

inverted, and the neck portion 106 being pulled in the direction of asleeve 104 on a desired side of the garment. The user withdraws an armfrom within the garment and out through the neck opening 107 such thatthe shoulder portion 106 is now disposed under the arm of the user,leaving a user's arm exposed. The sleeve 104 located on the same side ofthe garment with the user's exposed arm is inverted (FIG. 5B) so thatone side of the garment is off-the shoulder and under the arm of theuser with the sleeve 104 on that side of the garment inverted into thegarment and hidden from view. The length of the sleeve 104 on the sideopposite the exposed arm may be adjusted as the user desires.

FIGS. 6A and 6B show a conversion of the garment from the configurationshown in FIGS. 5C and 2C by moving the shoulder portion 106 and neckportion 103 down off the shoulder of the user so that the garment is nowoff-the-shoulder on both sides of the garment as shown in FIGS. 6A and2C.

FIGS. 7A-7C show a conversion of the garment from the configurationshown

in FIG. 7A to an alternative over-the-shoulder configuration on the sideopposite the side of the garment with the user's arm exposed. The uppersleeve portion 701 on the side opposite the user's exposed arm is drawnup and over the shoulder portion 106 such that the upper sleeve portion107 is now disposed over the user's shoulder, creating a new look (FIG.7C) from the configuration shown in FIG. 7A.

FIGS. 8A-8C show a conversion of the configuration of the garment asshown in FIG. 8A to a garment with a shorter hemline 105 by invertingthe hemline 105 up and over the user's legs so that the hemline 105 isdisposed underneath of the body portion 102 of the garment. This resultsin the garment configuration shown in FIGS. 8B and 8C. As describedabove, the elasticity of the garment hemline 105 allows the hemline 105to remain.

FIGS. 9A-9D show a conversion of the configuration of the garment shownin FIG. 9A to a full-length, off-the shoulder garment. The upper sleeveportion 701 is drawn down and away from the user's shoulder, allowingthe user to then place their arm outside of the garment with the uppersleeve portion 701 now disposed under the user's arm. The hemline 105 isdrawn downward, and the sleeve 104 are inverted into the garment andhidden from view. The final garment configuration is shown in FIG. 9D.As with other configurations, the garment as shown in FIG. 9D can beconverted in length as shown in FIGS. 10A, 10B, and 10C. The same istrue with the addition of a belt 1101 or similar accessory (not claimedas a part of the present invention and shown in dotted lines in FIGS.11A-11C, which show the modifications of lengths of the garment in 10Cand further as shown in FIGS. 12A, 12B, and 12C.

The garment configuration shown in FIG. 13A may be further changed asshown in FIGS. 13B-13D. The garment as configured in FIG. 13A isreconfigured by pulling the sleeves 104 out of the garment (FIG. 13B),raising the sleeves 104 upwards (FIG. 13C), and then tying the sleeves104 with a knot 1301 behind the user's neck as shown in FIG. 13D. Itwill be understood that a variety of knots 1301 that are well known,including decorative, may be used to achieve this garment configurationwithout deviating from the spirit and scope of the invention. It willalso be understood that mechanical clasping and/or holding means,including decorative, may be utilized to connect the sleeves 104 behinda user's neck. The mechanical means may be chosen from any number ofpossible devices, including clasps, ties, elastic ties and loops, orother means. As with other configurations, the garment length may bemodified as shown in FIGS. 14A-14C.

The garment as shown in FIG. 15A may be reconfigured as shown in FIGS.15B-15D. The knot 1301 tied in the sleeves 104 is untied, and thesleeves 104 which are now loose (FIG. 15B) are looped around one another(15C), then passed around a user's neck and tied, resulting in a loop1502 and knot 1501 holding the garment in place as shown in FIG. 15D. Asin other configurations, the knot 1501 may be tied in numerous ways, andthe sleeves 104 being connected behind a user's neck using mechanicalmeans as described above, without deviating from the scope of theinvention.

A further, similar configuration to that shown in FIG. 15D is shown inFIG. 16A, wherein the loose sleeves 104 (16B) are overlapped as shown inFIG. 16C, then tied in a knot 1601 behind the user's neck in the same orsimilar manner as that shown in FIG. 16D. As with other configurations,the configuration shown in FIG. 16D may be modified by modifying thelength of the garment as shown in FIGS. 17A-17C.

FIGS. 18A-18D shows a conversion of the garment to an off-the-shoulderconfiguration. The loose sleeves 104 are tied in front of a user's torsowith a knot 1801 positioned on the upper torso of a user so that thegarment leaves the user's shoulders bare and is positioned entirelyunder the arms of the user. The final configuration shown in FIG. 18Dmay be modified in length as shown in FIGS. 19A-19C.

FIGS. 20A-20D shows a conversion of the garment to having aconfiguration with the loose sleeves 104 (FIG. 20B) being configuredwith one sleeve 2002 being placed up and over a user's shoulder, and onesleeve 2003 passing under a user's arm and then up a user's back (FIG.20C) such that sleeve 2002 and sleeve 2003 can be fastened with a knot2001 over the user's shoulder (FIG. 20D). As with other configurations,it will be understood that the knot 2001 may by modified or replaced bymechanical means and the sleeves 104 fastening over either of the user'sshoulders. The length of this configuration may be modified as shown inFIGS. 21A-21C.

A further configuration may be achieved as shown in FIGS. 22A-22D. Thesleeves 104 are untied (FIG. 22B), wrapped around a user (FIG. 22C), andtied with a knot 2201 (FIG. 22D). The length of this configuration maybe changed, and the sleeves 104 passed behind a user's body to tie witha knot 2301 in the back of the user as shown in FIGS. 23A-23D, as wellas having the length modified as shown in FIGS. 24A-24C.

A further configuration may be obtained wherein the garment is worn as askirt of varying length around a user's waist as shown in FIGS. 25A-25D,but fastened with the sleeves 104 tied with a knot 2501 as in theconfiguration shown in FIGS. 25C and 25D.

It will be understood that the configurations and modifications betweenconfigurations as described herein are examples. A user may reconfigurethe garment without necessarily having to move through intermediarysteps as described herein. It will also be understood that varioustextile and other materials may be used in the garment, and it iscontemplated that the garment may incorporate stretchable/flexiblefabrics, elastics, a combination of the two, or other configurationsthat allow for the garment configurations as described herein. As such,the examples as shown herein should not be understood to be limiting.

What is claimed is:
 1. A reconfigurable garment comprising: a first areaof fabric and a second area of fabric being coupled together along aperimeter of each of the first area of fabric and the second area offabric to define a shape of the reconfigurable garment, wherein theperimeter of each of the first area of fabric and the second area offabric is configured according to a pattern, the pattern comprising: abody portion defining a central area; a pair of sleeve portionscomprising a right sleeve portion extending laterally from a right sideof the body portion and a left sleeve portion extending laterally from aleft side of the body portion; a neck portion extending upward from thebody portion and being oriented above the pair of sleeve portions, theneck portion comprising an upper length defining a neckline; one or moreshoulder portions extending between an upper portion of the pair ofsleeve portions and a lower portion of the neck portion; and a skirtportion extending downward from the body portion and being orientedbelow the pair of sleeve portions, the skirt portion comprising a lowerlength defining a hemline, wherein each of said portions of thereconfigurable garment are insertable into one or more other saidportions of the reconfigurable garment to selectively reconfigure thereconfigurable garment into a plurality of separate configurations whenworn by a wearer.
 2. A method comprising: providing a reconfigurablegarment to be worn on a body of a wearer, the reconfigurable garmentcomprising a first area of elastic fabric configured to stretch andcontract and a second area of the elastic fabric configured to stretchand contract, the first area of fabric and the second area of fabricbeing coupled together along a perimeter of each of the first area offabric and the second area of fabric to define a shape of thereconfigurable garment, wherein the perimeter of each of the first areaof fabric and the second area of fabric is configured according to apattern-comprising: a body portion defining a central area; a pair ofsleeve portions comprising a right sleeve portion extending laterallyfrom a right side of the body portion and a left sleeve portionextending laterally from a left side of the body portion; a neck portionextending upward from the body portion and being oriented above the pairof sleeve portions, the neck portion comprising an upper length defininga neckline; one or more shoulder portions extending between an upperportion of the pair of sleeve portions and a lower portion of the neckportion; and a skirt portion extending downward from the body portionand being oriented below the pair of sleeve portions, the skirt portioncomprising a lower length defining a hemline; selectively configuringthe reconfigurable garment into at least one configuration in aplurality of separate configurations by stretching and inserting atleast one of said portions of the reconfigurable garment into one ormore other said portions of the reconfigurable garment, wherein the atleast one of said portions of the reconfigurable garment is retained inplace by the one or more other said portions of the reconfigurablegarment when the reconfigurable garment is selectively configured intothe at least one configuration in the plurality of separateconfigurations by the elasticity and contraction of the first area ofelastic fabric and the second area of the elastic fabric when worn bythe wearer.
 3. The method of claim 2 further comprising selectivelyconfiguring the reconfigurable garment into a first configuration in theplurality of separate configurations by extending the skirt portion, thepair of sleeve portions and the neck portion to a full length of thereconfigurable garment.
 4. The method of claim 2 further comprisingselectively configuring the reconfigurable garment into a secondconfiguration in the plurality of separate configurations by insertingthe neck portion inside the body portion, wherein the elasticity andcontraction of the neck portion is configured to retain the body portionin the second configuration when worn by the wearer.
 5. The method ofclaim 2 further comprising selectively configuring the reconfigurablegarment into a third configuration in the plurality of separateconfigurations by inserting the skirt portion inside itself such thatthe hemline is selectively positioned below the wearer's knees, whereinthe elasticity and contraction of the skirt portion is configured toretain the skirt portion in the third configuration when worn by thewearer.
 6. The method of claim 2 further comprising selectivelyconfiguring the reconfigurable garment into a fourth configuration inthe plurality of separate configurations by inserting the skirt portioninside itself such that the hemline is selectively positioned above thewearer's knees, wherein the elasticity and contraction of the skirtportion is configured to retain the skirt portion in the fourthconfiguration when worn by the wearer.
 7. The method of claim 2 furthercomprising selectively configuring the reconfigurable garment into afifth configuration in the plurality of separate configurations byinserting the skirt portion inside the body portion such that thehemline is selectively positioned above the wearer's hips, wherein theelasticity and contraction of the body portion is configured to retainthe skirt portion in the fifth configuration when worn by the wearer. 8.The method of claim 2 further comprising selectively configuring thereconfigurable garment into a sixth configuration in the plurality ofseparate configurations by inserting the neck portion inside the bodyportion such that the neckline is disposed on the wearer's torso andbelow the wearer's shoulders, wherein the elasticity and contraction ofthe body portion is configured to retain the neck portion in the sixthconfiguration when worn by the wearer.
 9. The method of claim 2 furthercomprising selectively configuring the reconfigurable garment into aseventh configuration in the plurality of separate configurations bytying the pair of sleeve portions over one or both of the wearer'sshoulders.
 10. The method of claim 2 further comprising selectivelyconfiguring the reconfigurable garment into an eighth configuration inthe plurality of separate configurations by tying the pair of sleeveportions behind the wearer's neck.
 11. The method of claim 2 furthercomprising selectively configuring the reconfigurable garment into aninth configuration in the plurality of separate configurations by tyingthe pair of sleeve portions behind the wearer's waist.